The Genus Peristeria

Hooker

This name for this genus was taken from the Greek word peristerion, meaning "little dove" or pigeon. There are perhaps eleven species, all native to tropical America, from Central America and the West Indies, through South America to Brazil. The type species is Peristeria elata, described by Hooker in Botanical Magazine t. 3116 (1831); abbreviated Prstra.

Culture: Grows as an epiphyte in open, grassy areas of forest from 600-1200 meters. Cultivate under moist intermediate conditions.
Rand (1876), wrote: "These plants should be grown in pots in a strong compost of loam, peat, and leaf mould. During their season of growth they should have abundance of water, but in the resting season should be allowed to become almost dry. They need a long rest; the species last described [Peristeria stapeloides] needs less water than the others."

Peristeria elata Hooker, Bot. Mag. t. 3116. (1831).
[Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador] - This species is the National flower of Panama and it's on CITES Appendix 1. It is known as the "Dove" or "Holy Ghost" Orchid. The white, cupped flowers are borne on an erect spike. Rand (1876) wrote: "Flowers wax-white with lilac blotches at the base of the lip, and of an exquisite fragrance. They are produced on long stalks from the base of the pseudo-bulbs. The interior of the flower somewhat resembles a dove with outspread wings." Successful propagation efforts at RBG Kew.
Photo; Photo of clone 'Yahiro'

Edward Sprague Rand (1876) Orchid Culture. New York: The Rural Publishing. [Orchids. A Description of the Species and Varieties Grown at Glen Ridge... A Complete Manual of Orchid Culture].
Link to this book at the Digital Orchid Library,
http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/orchids.
Peristeria on pp. 363-364: Peristeria elata, cerina, guttata, pendula, stapeliodes.